Thursday, December 18, 2008

Akkineni Nagarjuna


Nagarjuna

Born Akkineni Nagarjuna Rao
August 29, 1959 (1959-08-29) (age 49)
Flag of India Andhra Pradesh, India
Other name(s) Nag, Yuva samrat
Occupation Actor,
Film Director,
Producer
Years active 1986 - Present
Spouse(s) Amala
Official website

Akkineni Nagarjuna (Telugu: ఆక్కినేని నాగార్జున) (born August 29, 1959 in Chennai, India), often known as Nagarjuna, is a popular Telugu Cinema actor and a successful producer. He is the son of veteran actor, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, who is a very respected actor having successfully done multiple films through the last four and half decades.

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[edit] Personal Background

Nagarjuna was born to Telugu cinema actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Annapurna Akkineni. Nagarjuna did his schooling at Hyderabad Public School and later went to Ratna Junior College to do his intermediate. After that, he went on to do mechanical engineering in College of Engineering, Guindy, Chennai(also called as Anna University). He later attended the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, where he received his master's degree in Automobile Engineering.

Nagarjuna has married twice. He is currently married to Amala who was a popular actress in Tamil and Telugu film industries. He has two sons. Naga Chaitanya from his first marriage, and Akhil Akkineni from second marriage(featured in Sisindri).

[edit] Salary and wealth

Nagarjuna charges close to 6 crores per movie and is considered as the most wealthy folks in the telugu film industry

[edit] Acting career

[edit] 1986-2004

His first movie Vikram released on May 24, 1986 was a remake of the Hindi film Hero starring Jackie Shroff. After acting in four films, he acted in Majnu as a tragedy hero; similar roles were known to be his father's forte. He acted with his father in the movie Collectorgari Abbayi. His first big hit was Akhari Poraatam co-starring Sridevi that ran for 100 days in 12 centers. Geethanjali a love story directed by Maniratnam followed by Shiva an action film directed by Ram Gopal Varma were highly successful and established him as one of the top heroes. During this phase of his career he relished working with new directors such as Ram Gopal Varma in order to recreate his screen persona and enjoy a certain creative energy, through the fresh approach of these young directors. He also made his Bollywood debut with the Hindi remake of Shiva. Movies such as President Gari Pellam and Hello Brother gave him the status of a mass hero. After that, Ninne Pelladutha directed by Krishna Vamsi appealed to a broad cross section of people, both young and mature. The movie was a big success at the box office. Later, he took up the challenge of portraying Annamacharya, the legendary singer/poet of medieval times in the movie Annamayya It ran for 100 days in 42 centers and is one of the biggest hits in Tollywood. He won the National Award for this role in Special Jury.

[edit] 2004-Present

In 2004, Nagarjuna had two releases, Nenunnanu and Mass, the latter going on to become a hit.[1]. In 2005, Nagarjuna had one release, Super. Super didn't reach up to the exceptations. Then in 2006, Nagarjuna had two releases, Sri Ramadasu, a period film based on the life of great saint-composer Ramadasu, directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, and Boss, I Love You. Sri Ramadasu was a big hit at box office however he got Nandi award for Sri ramadasu Boss, I Love You was a flop.[2] His latest release Don, was directed by Raghava Lawrence.;

[edit] Upcoming Films

Currently Nagarjuna is filming for King. The film will be directed by Sreenu Vaitla and produced by D Sivaprasad Reddy. His co-stars are Trisha Krishnan, Srihari, Sunil. It is slated for theatrical release in December 23 2008.

[edit] Annapurna Studios

Nagarjuna revived his father's production Annapurna Studios which has become one of the most successful production companies of recent times in Tollywood. He never hesitates to experiment when he produces films. He gave a chance to a newcomer who had no prior experience in movies to direct him. The newcomer didn't disappoint him and went on to become one of the finest directors of Indian film industry. The director is none other than RamGopal Verma. Nagarjuna is also known for his swiftness in decision making. He agreed to work with Krishna Vamsi(director) after seeing 10-minute-rushes of the director's film Gulabi. His decision proved to be bang on target as they made the blockbuster movie Ninne Pelladutha[citation needed].


[edit] Trivia

Nagarjuna owns several restaurants in India and abroad and often visits them on a regular basis.

Nagarjuna is investing close to 87 crores in real estate projects in Dubai. He is planning to team up with SRK to build a national level power project in Hyderabad.

Nagarjuna is close friends with the business tycoon Anil Ambani.

While working on Khuda Gawah in Afganisthan, Nagarjuna fell in love with the region so much that he bought a huge property there and wanted to build a film studio, but later sold the property after the 9/11 attacks.

[edit] Awards

[edit] National Film Awards

Winner

[edit] Nandi Awards

Winner

[edit] Filmfare Awards

Winner

[edit] Filmography

[edit] As actor

Year Film Role Notes
1986 Captain Nagarjuna Nagarjuna
Vikram Vikram
1987 Kirayi Dada

Agni Putrudu

Collector Gari Abbai

Sankeertana

Majnu

Aranyakanda

1988 Janaki Ramudu Ramu
Murali Krishnudu Murali Krishna
Chinna Babu

Aakhari Poratam Vihari
1989 Shiva Shiva Winner, Filmfare Best Actor Award (Telugu)
Agni

Geethanjali Prakash
Vicky Daada Vikram
Vijay Vijay
1990 Shiva Shiva Hindi Film
Iddaru Iddare

Neti Siddhaartha Siddhaartha
Prema Yuddham

1991 Killer Eeshwar
Jaitrayatra Vijay
Santhi Kranthi Kranti
Chaitanya Chaitanya
Nirnayam Vamsi Krishna
1992 President Gari Pellam Raja
Drohi Raghav/Shekhar Hindi Film
Antham Raghav
Khuda Gawah Insp. Raja Mirza Hindi Film
1993 Allari Alludu Kalyan
Varasudu Vinay
Rakshana Bose
1994 Criminal Ajay Kumar
Hello Brother Deva/Ravi Varma
Govinda Govinda Seenu
1995 Criminal Ajay Kumar Hindi Film
Gharana Bullodu Raju
1996 Ninne Pelladutha Seenu
Mr. Bechara Ajay
Ramudochhadu Ram
Vajram Chakri
1997 Ratchagan Ajay Tamil Film
Annamayya Annamayya Winner, Nandi Award for Best Actor
Winner, National Film Award for Special Jury
1998 Zakhm Raman Desai Hindi Film
Chandralekha Seeta Rama Rao
Auto Driver Jagan
Aavida Maa Aavide Vikranth
Angaarey Raja Hindi Film
1999 Ravoyi Chandamama Sashi
Seetaramaraju Ramaraju
2000 Azad Azad
Ninne Premista Srinivas
Nuvvu Vastavani Chinni Krishna
2001 Snehamante Idera Aravind
Akasa Veedhilo Chandu
Bava Nachadu Ajay
Eduruleni Manishi Surya Murthy/Satya Murthy
2002 Manmadhudu Abhiram
Agni Varsha Yavakri Hindi Film
Santosham Karthikeya aka Karthik Winner, Nandi Award for Best Actor
2003 LOC Kargil Maj. Padmapani Acharya, 2 Rajputana Rifles Hindi Film
Shivamani 9848022338 Shivamani
2004 Mass Ganesh
Nenunnanu Venu
2005 Super Akhil
2006 Boss - I Love You Gopal Krishna
Sri Ramadasu Gopanna/Sri Ramadasu Winner, Nandi Award for Best Actor
2007 Don Don/ Suri
2008 King
Filming

[edit] Produced

Year Film Notes
1981 Premaabhishekam
1983 Shri Ranganeethulu
1995 Sisindri
1996 Ninne Pelladatha
1999 Prema Katha
2000 Yuvakudu
2002 Manmadhudu
2003 Satyam
2005 Super

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